Hidden applications on Android are a common cause of panic among users. Have you installed a app, but its icon suddenly disappeared from your desktop? Or, after a system update, some applications stopped appearing in the menu? The reasons may be different: from random hiding to manufacturer system restrictions. In this article, we will look at all the possible ways to return hidden applications to the screen - from standard Android functions to using ADB commands for advanced users.

Many people think that the disappearance of an icon is tantamount to deleting the application. This is wrong! In 90% of cases, the app remains in the system, its shortcut is simply hidden from view. The main culprits of the problem: proprietary shells (MIUI, One UI, ColorOS), launchers from third-party developers, as well as system privacy settings. Even "pure" Android from Google Pixel can automatically hide little-used applications in the Application Library folder.

Before you start restoring, check two things:

1) Go to Settings → Applications and find the missing application in the list. If it is there, you can return it without reinstalling.

2) Try using the built-in search bar on the desktop (swipe down the screen). Often hidden applications are located there.

1. Standard method: search in the application menu

The easiest method is to use the built-in menu of all applications. On most smartphones, it opens by swiping up from the bottom of the screen (or by clicking on the "All applications" icon in the dock).

This menu may contain two types of hidden applications:

  1. Those hidden in the "Unused" or "Recommended" folder (automatic sorting system).
  2. Those that were manually hidden by the user through the launcher settings.

To find the missing application:

  1. Open the all applications menu.
  2. At the top of the screen, find the search bar (or magnifying glass icon).
  3. Enter application name. If it is installed, the system will show it even if it is hidden.
  4. Press the application icon and drag it to the desktop.

For smartphones Xiaomi (MIUI): hidden applications can be located in the "Hidden applications" folder in the all apps menu. To show them:

  1. Open the applications menu.
  2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
  3. Select "Hidden applications".
  4. Long-press the desired application and move it to the desktop.
📊 What Android shell are you using?
Pure Android (Pixel, Motorola)
MIUI (Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO)
One UI (Samsung)
EMUI (Huawei, Honor)
ColorOS (Oppo, Realme, OnePlus)

2. Launcher settings: returning hidden icons

Many launchers (including standard ones from manufacturers) have a function to hide applications. This could be either a deliberate user action or a failure after an update.

Instructions for popular shells:

  • 📱 MIUI (Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO):
    1. Press an empty space on the desktop.
    2. Select "Desktop Settings".
    3. Go to "Hidden Applications".
    4. Uncheck the applications that you want to return.
  • 🤖 One UI (Samsung):
    1. Open the applications menu.
    2. Click on the three dots → "Settings".
    3. Select "Hide applications".
    4. Click on the "−" icon next to the one you want application.
  • 🍎 EMUI (Huawei/Honor):
    1. Long-press an empty space on the screen.
    2. Select "Home Screen Settings".
    3. Go to "Hide Applications".
    4. Disable hiding for the desired apps.

    • For Google Pixel and other devices with pure Android:

    1. Pinch an empty space on the desktop.
    2. Select "Desktop Settings".
    3. Find the "Hidden Applications" or "App Library" section.
    4. Return the necessary apps to visible status.

    Go to Settings → Applications and make sure that the app is installed|

    Try to find the application through system search|

    Check the "Unused" or "Hidden" folder in the applications menu|

    Make sure that the application is not deleted (there is no “Install” button on Google Play)-->

    3. Using security and privacy settings

    Some applications may be hidden not through the launcher, but through the system privacy settings. This is relevant for:

    • Applications with administrative rights (antiviruses, device managers).
    • System applications that the manufacturer has hidden from the user.
    • Applications blocked through "Digital Wellbeing" or parental controls.

    To check these settings:

    1. Go to Settings → Applications → Special access → Access to device administrators.
    2. See if there is a hidden application there. If so, disable its administrative rights and check visibility.
    3. Go to Settings → Digital wellbeing and parental controls → Control Panel.
    4. Check whether the application is blocked due to restrictions.

    For Huawei and Honor: some system applications may be hidden in the "Manage Applications" menu. To return them:

    1. Go to Settings → Applications → Applications.
    2. Click on the three dots in the upper corner and select "Show system processes."
    3. Find the application you need and click on it.
    4. If there is an option "Show on desktop" - activate it.
    ⚠️ Attention: Not all system applications can be safely returned to the desktop. Some of them (com.android.phone, com.android.systemui) are responsible for critical system functions. Forcing them to display may lead to failures.

    4. Restoring via Google Play (if the application has “disappeared”)

    If the application has disappeared not only from the desktop, but also from the menu of all apps, it may have been uninstalled or disabled. In this case, it will help Google Play Market.

    Steps for recovery:

    1. Open Google Play Store.
    2. Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner.
    3. Select "Manage applications and device."
    4. Go to the "Installed" tab and find the desired application.
    5. If there is an "Enable" button next to it, click it.
    6. If the "Install" button, then the application has been removed and needs to be installed again.

    For system applications:

    • Some pre-installed applications (for example, Google Duo or YouTube Music) can be disabled, but not completely deleted.
    • To return them: go to Settings → Applications, find the application, click "Enable".
    • After enabling, the icon should appear in the application menu again.

    Important: some manufacturers (especially Huawei i Xiaomi) block the ability to enable disabled system applications through standard settings. In this case, only ADB or a full reset of settings will help.

    What to do if the "Enable" button is inactive?

    If in the application settings the "Enable" button is grayed out and cannot be pressed, this means that the application was not just disabled, but uninstalled for the current user (the "Delete for all users" function in Android 10+). In this case:

    1. Try installing the application again from Google Play.

    2. If this is a system application, use the ADB command to restore it (Section 6 of this article).

    3. On some firmware (for example ColorOS), resetting the launcher settings may help: go to Settings → Applications → Launcher settings → Reset.

    5. Using third-party launchers to search for hidden applications

    If standard methods do not help, you can use a third-party launcher that shows all installed applications, including those hidden by the system. Popular options:

    • 🚀 Nova Launcher —allows you to customize the visibility of applications and shows even those that are hidden by the manufacturer.
    • 🔍 Apex Launcher —has a search function for all installed applications, including disabled ones.
    • 📱 Microsoft Launcher —automatically displays all applications in the "All apps" folder.

    Instructions for Nova Launcher:

    1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
    2. Make it the default launcher (the system will prompt you to do this the first time you start it).
    3. Long-press an empty space on the desktop and select "Nova Settings".
    4. Go to "Applications and Widgets" → "Hidden Applications".
    5. Make sure that the application you need is not hidden in this menu.
    6. Return to the desktop, open the menu applications (swipe up) and find the missing application.

    Advantages of this method:

    • Works even if the manufacturer has blocked standard ways of displaying applications.
    • Allows you to create your own rules for hiding/displaying applications.
    • Does not require root access or special knowledge.
    ⚠️ Attention: After installing a third-party launcher, some system functions (for example, navigation gestures or always-on display) may not work correctly. This is due to Android restrictions on the interaction of third-party launchers with system services. Before installation, check compatibility with your smartphone model.
    Launcher Shows hidden system applications Requires configuration Support gestures
    Nova Launcher ✅ Yes ⚙️ Average ✅ Full
    Apex Launcher ✅ Yes ⚙️ Simple ⚠️ Partial
    Microsoft Launcher ❌ No (custom only) ⚙️ Minimum ✅ Full
    Action Launcher ✅ Yes ⚙️ Complex ✅ Complete
    Lawnchair ❌ No ⚙️ Medium ✅ Complete

    6. Advanced method: recovery via ADB (for experienced ones)

    If all the previous methods did not work, and the application is critical, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method is suitable for:

    • Restoring system applications disabled by the manufacturer.
    • Unlocking applications hidden through enterprise policies (for example, on work phones).
    • Restoring icons after unsuccessful experiments with launchers.

    What you will need:

    • A computer with installed drivers for your smartphone.
    • Utility ADB (can be downloaded from the official website Google).
    • USB cable (preferably original).
    • Included USB debugging on a smartphone.

    Step-by-step guide:

    1. Enable USB debugging:
      1. Go to Settings → About phone.
      2. Click 7 times on "Build number" to activate developer mode.
      3. Go back to the main settings and open "For Developers".
      4. Activate "USB Debugging".
    2. Connect your smartphone to the PC:
      1. Connect your phone via USB.
      2. On your phone, select the "File Transfer" or "USB Debugging" mode.
      3. On your PC, open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux).
      4. Type command adb devicesto check connection.
    3. Restore the application:

      If the application is disabled (but not deleted), use the command: 

      adb shell pm enable APPLICATION_PACKAGE

      Example for Google Chrome: 

      adb shell pm enable com.android.chrome

      If the application deleted for the current user, use: 

      adb shell cmd package install-existing APPLICATION_PACKAGE

    How to find the application package?

    • Use the command adb shell pm list grep packages | "part_of_name".
    • Or find the package in Google Play —it is listed in the URL (for example, for WhatsApp this com.whatsapp).
    ⚠️ Attention: Incorrect use of ADB can lead to unstable system operation. Do not disable or uninstall system applications with unknown packages (for example com.qualcomm... or com.mediatek...) This may disrupt the operation of the communication module, camera or other critical functions.
    💡

    Before working with ADB, create a backup copy of important data. Even if you just turn on a disabled application, there is always a risk of accidentally entering it. incorrect command. For backup, you can use Google Drive or utility adb backup (although it is not supported by all manufacturers).

    7. Resetting the launcher settings (if all else fails)

    If the problem occurs after updating the system or changing the launcher, resetting its settings may help. This will return the standard icon layout and show all hidden applications.

    Instructions for the standard launcher:

    1. Go to Settings → Applications.
    2. Find the launcher (usually called "Launcher", "Home Screen" or "Pixel Launcher").
    3. Click "Storage" → "Clear data".
    4. Confirm the action After this, all icons will return to their original state.

    For Nova Launcher and other third parties:

    1. Open the launcher settings (press and hold an empty space on the screen).
    2. Find the "Backup and reset" section.
    3. Select "Reset" settings."

    What will happen after the reset:

    • All icons will return to their standard positions.
    • Folders and widgets will be deleted.
    • Hidden applications will become visible again.
    • Gesture settings and animations will be reset to factory settings.

    Important: resetting the launcher does not delete applications and does not affect the data in them. It only returns the standard desktop view.

    💡

    Resetting the launcher settings is the most reliable way to return hidden icons if the problem is caused by a failure in the desktop configuration. This method works in 95% of cases when applications. are hidden not at the system level, but at the interface level.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about hidden applications on Android

    Is it possible to return a hidden application without root access?

    Yes, in 99% of cases, root is not required. All methods from this article (except for some ADB commands for system applications) work without rights. superuser. Root may only be needed to restore deleted system applications or change system files.

    Why do some applications disappear after updating Android?

    This is due to the manufacturer's policy. For example, Samsung and Xiaomi they often hide little-used applications in a folder. "Unused" after major updates. Also, some system applications may be disabled if they are no longer supported (for example, old versions Google+ or Hangouts).

    How can I hide an application back if I don’t need it?

    Methods depend on the shell:

    • MIUI: Press icon → "Hide".
    • One UI: Application menu → three dots → "Hide applications".
    • Pure Android: Use the "Application Library" folder or a third-party launcher.

    For complete removal system applications without root, use the ADB command: 

    adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 APPLICATION_PACKAGE

    This command will remove the application only for the current user, without affecting system files.

    What to do if a system application is hidden (for example, "Phone" or "Settings")?

    This is a critical situation, since without these applications the smartphone becomes practically unusable. Solutions:

    1. Reset. settings: Go to recovery-mode (usually Power + Volume Up) and select "Wipe data/factory reset".
    2. ADB: Connect to the PC and use the command adb shell pm enable PACKAGE (for example, com.android.phone for the "Phone" application).
    3. Flashing: If the first two methods did not help, you will have to reflash the smartphone via Fastboot or Odin (for Samsung).

    ⚠️ Without a backup, these methods will lead to data loss!

    Does rebooting the smartphone help restore hidden applications?

    Sometimes yes. If the problem is caused by a temporary failure of the launcher or the system, a normal reboot can return the icons to their place. Try:

    1. Restart the phone.
    2. After turning on, wait 1-2 minutes (the system can optimize the applications).
    3. Check the menu of all applications.

    If this does not help, use the methods from this article.